Which Club Do You Belong To?
I have always been dismayed by the uncalled for, rude behavior of some exhibitors (hopefully few and far between), and it occurs to me that there are other, far more subtle ways that members of the dog fancy damage our sport. Which of the following clubs do you belong to?
The Free Advice Club - membership in this club is offered to any and all owners, breeders and handlers who believe they know better than the next guy how a certain breeding should be done, where and by whom a dog should be shown, which animal should be purchased or sold and to whom, where and how a stud dog should be bred or promoted. No request for advice is needed and members are free to pass out their wisdom, such as it may be, to any and all within hearing range or by phone & internet. And pass it on they do - but not always to the people to whom it pertains.
The Gossip Mongers Club - membership in this club knows no limits! It is offered to anyone who has a juicy tidbit to share, and it need not be fact or even verified. And the ability to pass it on many times over grants you an elite membership. Anything and everything can qualify as food for this club's members. And it is a double treat if it happens to be about someone you don't get along with or who has snubbed you or your dog in the past. And if it gets wilder and more juicy as it is passed along, then all the better.
The Know It All Club - membership in this club is restricted to graduate members of the Free Advice Club. Novice members of all clubs appear to orbit around these members, praying they will drop tidbits and perhaps grace them with an opinion or two. It is not necessary to even own a dog to maintain membership. And you can hear huge sighs of relief if the members approve a new litter or show potential puppy.
The I Didn't Win Because Club - Because the judge was stupid, because the show was fixed, because so-and-so flew in, because the breeder's sister was "friendly" with the judge, because, because, because... What ever happened to "Chicken One Day, Feathers The Next" - the true dog show club?
It isn't necessary to be rude and obnoxious to hurt the dog fanciers around you. And unfortunately I have been touched by all of the above clubs - both as a member and on the receiving end. I cannot cast the first stone.
But I can point out that the dog game is what you make of it and what you are prepared to put into it. And you lead by example. Every new owner who purchases one of your puppies, pet or show quality, looks to you for leadership in the dog show game.
How you treat people is far more important, in my opinion, than how you are treated. You do not have control over other people's actions but you do have the final say over your own actions & reactions. I have always believed that one should never rain on someone else's parade - they are enjoying their day in the sunshine just as you will, in turn, enjoy yours. Don't take that enjoyment away from them, regardless of your personal opinion.
And if you can honestly say that you have never been a member of any of the above clubs (and many more too numerous to mention), then I want to meet you, because people like you are few and far between in the dog world.
I, for one, will make an attempt to put my energies into more positive activities - our days are too few and our future too uncertain to spend them tarnishing other people's accomplishments. An excerpt from one of my favorite books reads: "Someone elses' unkindness is no reason for me to lower my standards for my own behavior. When I take responsibility for my own actions, regardless of what other people do, I become someone I can be proud of. When I feel good about myself, it's much easier not to take insults personally."
-- Sharon Simpson, Zephyr Boxers
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